Does it come with ideas on how to set it up? And can it use regular marbles or just the ones provided?
14444
The ones provided are not weirdly small. They are a common marble on the smaller side, if that makes sense. It comes with about 14 marbles, I think. It does not layout different track styles in a booklet. You don't really need one, the possibilities are endless. I promise you will be fine. I think you should buy the one box but know that it is way cooler with two. So if you see the love for it get ready to buy another box! We still love this toy.
14445
There are not alternate set up ideas provided, but the set is easy to set up in many way. I bought it for my three year old grandson and he could easily put it together in many shapes with a little help. You can use other marbles, but they need to be the slightly smaller one. It also works best if all the marbles you run at one time are the same type or weight. This is really the best marble run toy.
14446
No, and I am not pleased by the no directions. The original had a bunch of different ways to set up but I ended up taking a picture of the set up I have and use it all of the time. You need to buy small marbles at toys r us, they have to be on the small side.
14447
Yes! There are some ideas of how to build it and any marble works fine with it. If your kids are anything like mine, you'll need to replace lost marbles eventually. :) This is a fabulous set. My siblings and I played with Marbleworks for hours as kids and now we are buying additional sets for our kids. Enjoy!
14448
It does not come with ideas on how to set up beyond what's on the packaging box. However, it is pretty easy to set up once you get the hang of it and there's enough pieces to make different configurations each time so it's always interesting to kids. It does use regular marbles so easy to replace if you lose one. Also, you didn't ask but the pieces are a lot sturdier than other brands. This should last you a long time. I hope this helps.
1996114
Nope, my 8yr has built a set (7 at the time with a littile help) and his older brother (12 at the time) can build it on his won. Just lots of 1x1 squares and other smaller bricks. This was on the Orgional set. This will most likely be under the tree this year for them.
1741854
I ordered this and the marbles are a lil smaller than the ones you get in a normal marble set. I don't find anything wrong with these but for fun I bought more marbles from the dollar store to mix it up. But this is a really nice piece. It is well made and holds up well. I have had mine for over a year.
1741855
We like the colors. You can get bags of marbles at most good toy stores. Start with this set. Collecting marbles can become a fun hobby in itself as there are such a variety of types and color patterns to explore. This purchase could be the start of a gift that keeps on giving...
1887544
No there are no instructions with it, neither on the box nor a pamphlet. I found that pretty annoying at first but then once I started fitting pieces together I got used to it. Would be nice to have a book of suggestions for different structures you could build, but I guess they want you to use your imagination.
2000745
If you are asking whether there are any instructions for building- only the examples on the box illustration are shown. However, this is by no means a deterrent. The children I work with create all kinds of things, no two alike, and they do this by exploration- the best learning tool there is. There are no shortages of creative possibilities that arise out of just playing with the magnetic edges and seeing how things work. The children have even solved problems like sagging roofs on a large structure by seeing that they need to build a column or supports to hold it up. They are the most in-demand toy in my play therapy room. I had to get another set for the waiting room!
942881
Any marble the same size will work. Also try a machinist shop, ball bearings...
1727118
Marbles come in many sizes; very big and very small ones won't work, but "normal" ones are fine.
1843030
I am trying to purchase a marble run as well for my grandson. This is all new to me but I have learned a lot. I have discovered that the marble run "Extreme Mania" by Techno Co. is not a well constructed marble run..From many review's tell the story that It fall's apart and is very hard to assembly and is pour qualty made. There are reviews all over the internet of bad choice. Now, I have no clue what to buy. Can someone help me, PLease... Which is the better made marble run and for its longevity~Thanks, Grandma Tootles
227407
Melt down on the way! With over 100 pieces, you should expect to sit down with him and put the marble run together. I work with special needs children all day and they love the marble run. Some times the run gets destroyed and we put it away for a few days. When I bring it out again, the children enjoy it for a long time. It will fall apart when you apply pressure or too much weight to the towering pieces. Try building it a little at a time, checking to insure that the pieces are installed in the right direction, then add to your design. Good luck! I hope you have as much fun as we have!
1807643
It is a wonderful creative toy for children 8-90. It helps develop gross motor skills, and it helps develop cognitive skills. And there is also the creative side of making your own marble run designed just by you :-)
23405
It can really be any size depending how you build it. I actually threw it away and bought a wooden one. This one was very junky and not useable. It caused many tears for my son as it would fall apart at the slightest touch and the marbles would get stuck no matter how carefully it was built.
518788
The unit comes with different size adapters. If the adapters are not exact, it is a very simple process to choose the closest and cut a block of wood to adapt it. I did so successfully and fitted them to posts, marble tops, and walls. I found it very easy to glue the block onto the post or marble. Caution: You must always use the screw attachment, because after a year's operation you will need to change batteries in the units... and that will let you take it out intact, to do it.
830331
Regular marbles don't fit, but Chinese checker marbles do and they work much better than the plastic ones it come with.
1887545
No it does not. I got this and the marbelous translucent marble run set together and the marbelous set came with 4 different run instructions. It is nice for the kids to have something to start with, but after a while they just do it on their own anyways.
347342
What makes this so great for little children is the fact that it's oversized and less of a choking hazard. If you are looking for a similar concept for older kids, this brand makes a smaller version, with regular sized marbles, which is quite fun. There are quite a few options of different brands as well as different quantity sets that you can find on Amazon. I recommend searching "magnetic construction set" and checking out what's out there.
1421966
It's pretty basic, though I agree just reading the description left me wondering as well. We love it though! Even my 4 year old can play with us. Basically you have turtles and you have to give them directions (left right, straight) to get to their gem in the middle of the board. It is really more the idea of programming. The adult playing is the computer, and moves the turtles, while the kids are the programmers giving the directions. There are also different levels so as the kids get a feel for it, blocks can be added that they have to move around, or laser beam through.